Bottlehead Tube Preamp - Taking A Hard Look At A Purchase

PreCd

I have been wanting a different preamp for a month or so now and have been looking at the Bottlehead Foreplay III Kit. I have read good things about their products and was wanting to hear from others that have built the preamp. I am pairing with a Adcom GFA-555 and SDA2Bs, TL'd. Marantz CD5004. I am currently using a Adcom GFP-565 that has completely been gone through as far as capacitors goes. I recapped that last year with Elna Silmic IIs. If I remember correctly there was 13 in all. It sound great, just wanting to play some.

Anyways I would like hear some opinions on those who have used this product or those who have opinions on the build, specs, etc...

Of interest also is what to expect as far as tube cost go with rolling, etc....

drumminman

I thought long and hard about building one before I bought my Candela, but a couple of things kept me from doing it: I didn't have the time; and I had never done anything like that before so it may not have gone well.

I've heard generally good things about their products, and that pre amp has been around for quite a while so there must be lots of tweaks and upgrades available.

I suggest going to the Bottlehead forum on Audio Asylum and getting your read on:

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/etv.mpl?forum=bottlehead

audio_alan

Sorry, no experience, but it looks like a cool project. You're talking about the Foreplay III Line Stage Kit, right? (The low-end kit that is battery powered seems a bit silly to me. The character of the music would probably change as the batteries drain...)

Are you into "build your own", or are you just looking for an affordable tube-pre? As an alternative, I'd recommend the Dared SL-2000a for about the same money (pre-built though). Several members on the forum will agree that it's a phenomenal little unit, and looks pretty cool too.

But if you go ahead and build the Bottlehead, I'm sure the forum would be interested to see the progress and hear the outcome!

Stew

audio_alan wrote: »

As an alternative, I'd recommend the Dared SL-2000a for about the same money (pre-built though). Several members on the forum will agree that it's a phenomenal little unit, and looks pretty cool too.

But if you go ahead and build the Bottlehead, I'm sure the forum would be interested to see the progress and hear the outcome!

I'm one of those members and the Dared is indeed phenomenal if you spring for a good rectifier and tubes. Mine is between a Jolida CD player and a NAD amp with SDA 2B-TL's.

I also seriously considered building a Foreplay III but decided against it due to lack of time. I originally planned to modify the Dared with better capacitors but it sounds so good like it is that I haven't been overly motivated to modify it. I'd love to hear how the Bottlehead compares to the Dared. Please post your impressions of whatever preamp you end up with.

PreCd

Yep I am a DIYer and the Foreplay III not only appeals to me in quality but as a project also. I have heard nothing but good things about both units. If time allows I will go with the Bottlehead. If not I will go with the Dared 2000.

Really good to hear from those that own the Dared that it sounds good out of the box!

audio_alan wrote: »

Sorry, no experience, but it looks like a cool project. You're talking about the Foreplay III Line Stage Kit, right? (The low-end kit that is battery powered seems a bit silly to me. The character of the music would probably change as the batteries drain...)

Are you into "build your own", or are you just looking for an affordable tube-pre? As an alternative, I'd recommend the Dared SL-2000a for about the same money (pre-built though). Several members on the forum will agree that it's a phenomenal little unit, and looks pretty cool too.

But if you go ahead and build the Bottlehead, I'm sure the forum would be interested to see the progress and hear the outcome!

thsmith

I friend of mine built one plus the mono blocks. He likes it. If you have specific questions let me know.

heiney9

I think either would be a nice addition. I lean towards the Dared because I know what it's capable of.

H9

PreCd

Let me ask this. I have a ton of 6DJ8 tubes. Bugle Boys. Orange Globes. I noticed the Dared comes with 12AT7 tubes. Is the 6DJ8s a suitable replacement for those?

At this time the most confusing part of tubes for me is figuring out which model I can substitute for another. Any documentation out there that shows this?

thsmith

no, the 6dj8s are not a 12AT varient.

Just do a search and you will find it.

6DJ8 / ECC88/ 6922/7308

https://www.tubeworld.com/12at7.htm